Windows HTPC replacement?

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Windows HTPC replacement?

Batman

Mad Scientist
30013 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#226299 30-Dec-2017 17:34

Hi just got myself a 4K amp/receiver. Previously had been using a laptop as HTPC. Why? Because it can browse under Network and see all my video and music files stored on another Windows computer over home Wi-Fi network.

But there are no laptops that I can buy that suits that has 4k 60fps output, ie HDMI 2.

Is there a smart blu ray player that can
- Browse my home network computers
- Log in to my user password
- Play any video files inc mkv and multi channel audio?
- On special for boxing day?

Jase2985

13732 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6205

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1927071 30-Dec-2017 17:48

run a DLNA server on your network and any decent device these days will have a DLNA client on it.

removes the need for network shares/passwords etc.

Batman

Mad Scientist
30013 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1927077 30-Dec-2017 18:01

That allows device to play multi audio mkv files on the PC?

Oh hang on you mean the PC is playing the multi audio mkv file and sending it to device? Is that reliable?

Jase2985

13732 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6205

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1927102 30-Dec-2017 19:30

no the PC is just a server that links the TV to where the devices are and can transcode files if need be, which is normally in the minority.
You tell the DLNA server software where the media (video music picture) files are and then the TV's client software will pick up the server and display the contents.

google plex, kodi or serviio for the server software.

what can be played depends on your TV and what file formats it supports.

Jase2985

13732 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6205

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1927109 30-Dec-2017 19:40

example:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wogYXjbZWZs

i use serviio as its no frills, and i didnt like the way plex used soo much space on my PC

Dunnersfella

4100 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 887

#1927164 30-Dec-2017 21:57

I've used Plex for a long time now... even stumping up for a lifetime PlexPass.

It transcodes files to allow me to watch all sorts of file types on all sorts of devices - from my phone to my tablet to my TV's / through my game consoles. As my server (MacMini) is connected to my AVR I can used the PlexTheatre app on the Mac to run a remote control (Logitech Harmony Ultimate) that drives Plex on my TV screen.

What's more, I can watch / listen to my library anywhere in the world, super handy when I'm on the road with work, even if I don't have access to WiFi!

The Metadata is super nice looking and it outperforms all the other servers I've played with to date (WD NAS / USB HDD via my Nighthawk router, Twonky and Serviio). I use Kodi, but really it seems to have moved more into the 'how people watch um, not quite legal content', than as a server that works for my needs.

elpenguino

3577 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2939

#1927262 31-Dec-2017 10:22

can you serve content direct to your smart tv and take the audio output to your AV system?

thats basically what I do.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

Batman

Mad Scientist
30013 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1927273 31-Dec-2017 10:51

Yes I can but the smart tv decides to only pass 2.0 PCM audio instead of 5.1!

rb99

3505 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1830

Lifetime subscriber

#1927277 31-Dec-2017 11:11

For Plex see Emby also. Works fine for me though don't have any fancy amps (don't have any amps at all actually). Think it still works with them though.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

rb99

Andib

1396 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 974

ID Verified

Trusted

#1927316 31-Dec-2017 11:59

Have you looked at replacing it with another Windows PC? Something like a intel NUC or HP 800 Desktop Mini would do 4K 60hz no issue.

<#
.DISCLAIMER
Anything I post is my own and not the views of my past/present/future employer.
#>

Batman

Mad Scientist
30013 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1927333 31-Dec-2017 12:48

that is definitely my preferred option, I'll look into those. i have a powerhouse quad core 4th gen i7/haswell laptop. will play 4k 30fps, won't play 60fps. definitely need 6th-7th gen Intel at least i think. . let's see, surely someone would solder an hdmi 2.0 socket on their laptop one day ...

JimmyH

2898 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1554

#1927406 31-Dec-2017 17:59

Have you thought of:

Keeping the existing HTPC to do all the HTPC stuff (recording, epg, file management); and
getting an NVidia Shield as a media client?

I have been looking at a Shield and am tossing up between it and an Apple TV as a media client. From what I have read it should handle 4K video etc quite happily, and connect to the HTPC using your method of choice (eg SAMBA, DLNA, or Plex). It will also run Kodi (for local playback) and Netflix if you want to. I am also trying to find out how well sideloading the Lightbox app works, as that's the one thing holding me back from pressing the button on a purchase.

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

Batman

Mad Scientist
30013 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6217

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1929760 5-Jan-2018 11:40

Hey guys just discovered that some Dell 2018 laptops have HDMI 2.0 jacks and have 2x2 wifi. Looks like my problem will be solved very soon :D